Famous Men of Rome · Ch. XIV · Unit 3: Pyrrhus and the wars with Carthage
19. Regulus
Goal: Your child can tell what the Punic Wars were about and why Regulus went back to Carthage.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- A map of Italy and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
- Paper and colored pencils
- Your timeline strip (see the tips at the top)
What's in the book
Chapter XIV: the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage over Sicily. The Romans build a navy and use a boarding bridge. Regulus invades Africa, is defeated and captured, and is sent to Rome with Carthage's peace offer on his word of honor. He tells the Senate to refuse it and goes back to Carthage, where he is put to death. Rome wins the war in 241 B.C.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
Find Carthage on the coast of North Africa (today in Tunisia), Sicily between it and Italy, and the Strait of Gibraltar, which the book calls the Pillars of Hercules.
SayPunic means Phoenician. The people who founded Carthage came from Phoenicia.
Read the chapter
Read Chapter XIV aloud. It begins:
The next great war the Romans engaged in was with Carthage.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- What were Rome and Carthage fighting over?
- What did the Romans have to build to fight Carthage?
- How did the boarding bridge work?
- Why did Carthage send Regulus to Rome, and what did he tell the Senate?
Talk it over
Read his answer to his family:
I have given my word of honor to return, and I cannot break it.
Ask: Why did Regulus keep a promise to an enemy, knowing what might happen? Do you think a promise to an enemy counts?
Remember it
Add to the timeline: "241 B.C. End of the First Punic War. Rome wins Sicily."
Extra (optional)
Draw a Roman warship with the boarding bridge swung down onto an enemy ship, its iron spike holding fast.
Tip
The book says Carthage put Regulus to death "in a very cruel way" and gives no details. You don't need to add any.
Answers to the book's problems
They fought over the island of Sicily. The Romans had to build warships and train rowers. The boarding bridge swung onto an enemy deck and its iron spike held the ship so Roman soldiers could cross. Carthage hoped Regulus would urge peace to win his freedom; instead he said the terms were bad for Rome. He kept his word because he believed a Roman's honor mattered more than his life.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.